Downtown Wausau will get a little bit of freshness this fall, as Ignite Nutrition opens for business.

The smoothie bar, owned by Kayla Ermeling, is set to open on Sept. 5 and will feature a range of ways to stay healthy. The shop will serve nutritious smoothie drinks and offer fitness clubs to bring people together to work out, Ermeling said.

Ermeling, 23, said she was inspired to open a health club of her own after learning how important it is to treat your body well.

"I (studied abroad) in Mexico, and it was a culture shock. I gained a lot of weight. I was really active in high school and all through college, so it was rough," she said. "So I came back and got really active. That was part of it, being able to watch my fitness journey."

Ermeling turned to a local health club where she was going to school at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. The club turned her on to smoothies and teas that helped her regain her confidence. Though she was working in another job, she was so inspired by how much the club had helped her that she wanted to start her own.

That decision brought her back to Wausau, where she grew up. The 2012 Wausau West High School graduate searched throughout the area for a space to house her new business, and finally settled at 515 Third St., the former site of Studio 7 Consignment. Ermeling is turning the space into a new community hangout spot along Third Street.

"Being able to help other people and expanding to help the community, that's really powerful," she said.

In addition to serving smoothies, she plans to be offering fit camps throughout the year, starting in September with a yoga class in the shop. Next summer, her goal is to host fitness classes in The 400 Block.

Ignite also will feature a massage therapist on the lower level of the shop.

"It will be amazing for our community," Ermeling said. "We're creating a space with a positive, uplifting environment."